Trestle



1 Aug; 3, 1926 A 1,595,04

l C. M. TRAUTSCHOLD TRESTLE Filed April 2, 1924 INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESS f Patented Aug. 3, 1925.

CHARLES M. TRAUTSGI-IOLD, OFl WAGO, TEXAS.

TRESTLE.

Application 'filed April 2,

This invention relates generally to im- Y provements in foldable structures and has particular relation to means for holding a plurality of hinged elements in extended position, the invention being especially applicable to trestles or supports, whereby the latter may occupy a minimum amount of space when stored.

Another object of the invention is thev provision of means of the above character which may be quickly adjusted to permit the elements to fold or tohold them in extended position, the construction being such as to prevent accidental collapsing of the hinged elements.

Vith the above and other ob-jects in View, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

1n the drawings Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section showing` a trestle constructed in accordance with the invention and provided with the improved leg engaging means.

Figure 2 is an elevation showing the legs folded and the supporting member removed.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view with the legs extended.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the upper end of the post and the removable supporting bar, the parts being shown separated.

Figure 5 is a. detail plan view of the rotatable member shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a similar view of a rotatable member for use with a post having a square cross section.

Referring wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates a post, to the upper end of which is removably secured a supporting bar 11, upon which a table or platform may be placed, as will be apparent. The post is notched at its upper end as shown at 12, while the bar 11 is provided with spaced lugs or projections 13 which, when the said bar is placedl within the notch 12 will engage upon opposite sides of the post 10 so as to provide a secure connection between the post and bar, yet permit of their ready separation when desired.

Hingedly secured to the lower end of the post 10 are legs 14, which are adapted to be to the drawings in detail 1924. Serial No. 703,771.

folded inwardly as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings when the device is to be stored, or extended as shown in Figures 1 and 3 when the trestle is in use. Any suitable means may beemployed for connecting the legs 14 to the post 10, suchas a plate 15 which is secured to the bottom of the post and which forms a plate for a plurality of hinge leaves 16 which are secured to the legs 14.

The present invention is an improvement upon patent numbered 1,486,169, granted to me March 11, 1924, wherein the supporting bar wasv liingedly secured to the post and the supporting legs were held in extended position by means of hooks and eyes. 1n practice it was found that the hinge connection between the post and bar was weakened through rough handling, while the adjustinent of the hooks and eyes consumed too much time in setting up or knocking down the trestle.

To overcome the last mentioned defect, the present invention provides a. locking device which is rotatably secured to the bottom of the post 10 as shown at 17 and which includes oppositely extendingarms 18. These arms are adapted to beengaged with the legs 14 as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings so as to hold the said legs in extended position and when it is desired to fold the legs inward, the locking device is partially rotated so as to position the arms between the legs as shown in Figure 2, whereupon the legs may be folded inwardly.

The locking device shown in Figures 3 and 5 is designed for use with a postof oblong cross section, while the device shown in Figure 6 in which the arms 18 are of like construction and arrangement, is designedv for use with a post having a square cross section. A 1t is obvious that the post may be any shape desired.

The invention; is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within'the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 'In a trestle, a standard, supporting legs therefor, a plate secured to the bottom of the standard, leaves secured to the legs and having their inner ends hingedly secured to the edges of the plate to hingedly connect the legs and standard in a manner to permit the inner ends of said. legs to abut the sides of the standard and limit upward swinging movement of the legs, a member rotatable upon the plate and outwardly eX- tendng arms included in said member, said arms being adapted to extend across the hinge connections and engage the leaves to hold the legs against downward and inward 10 movement.

In testimony whereof I my signature.

CHARLES M. TRAUTSCHOLD. 

